The Absolute Formula to Expressive Drums
We designed the new Absolute Series drums with two points in mind. First: to develop a shell that has as wide an expressive range as possible; and second: to create a drum that faithfully reproduces every nuance in your playing – from a tap to full stroke. In other words, to craft a drum that delivers the tonal consistency and volume you expect in relation to player input.
To address this, we first developed a unique shell formula that responds accurately to differences in the way the drum is played. Then we focused on eliminating as many of the tone-inhibiting elements in the shell as possible. At this stage in development, the shells went through a critical evaluation process of over three years with our great artists and professional recording engineers. They also underwent detailed acoustic analysis by a special team of acoustic engineers. This advanced level of research and development, a trait we at Yamaha are proud of, led to three significant features that are being introduced with the new Absolute Hybrid Series.
Hybrid Maple Shell
The new Absolute Hybrid Series inherits the hybrid shell technology found on our flagship PHX Series. On Absolute Hybrid shells, the design consists of a core ply of wenge a very hard and heavy wood native to Africa, sandwiched between plies of maple, well known for its clear tone. This hybrid design delivers a drum tone that plays rich and clear across the full dynamic range, from pianissimo to fortissimo.
Hook Lug
Hook lugs offer quick and easy head replacement, precision tuning, and can readily handle high-tension tuning. Lug bases are designed with a small footprint to maximise tone output from the hybrid shell.
YESS III
An evolutionary step up from our YESS II tom mount, the YESS III reduces acoustic dampening even further. Allowing the shell to vibrate more freely, the YESS III mount brings out more of the shell’s natural sustain and volume.
Low-Mass Tom Holder Base
The tom holder’s light weight and small footprint allows the bass drum shell to vibrate more freely.
Optimized Bearing Edge
The bearing edge angle on the bass drum differs from the angle used on the tom and snare shells to optimise tonal balance in the drum set. A 45º/R1.5 edge is used on the snare and toms to a balanced tone; while a 30º/ R1.5 edge on the bass drum shell brings out more low-end tone for a deeper, more powerful sound.
Vent Hole
The vent hole plays an important role in performance, since it affects not only the sensation of hitting the drum (the impact) but also the initial sound, sustain and tone.
Through an exhaustive series of prototypes, YAMAHA has discovered the optimal number and vent hole position depending on the air capacity of each shell. Particularly, vent holes contribute to the enhancement of tone colours in midrange to low-frequency sounds, as well as the control of sustain.
Vintage finish interior
Shell interiors are coated with our exclusive “Vintage Natural” finish for enhanced tone and refined looks.
3.0mm Aluminium Die-Cast Hoops
Aluminium die-cast hoops deliver a strong tight sound with an extraordinary attack and decay.

ADAMS REVOLUTION TIMPANI 23 HAMMERED COPPER
YAMAHA TP-6326R SYMPHONIC SERIES SMOOTH COPPER TIMPANI 26 RANGE A - F
YAMAHA TP-7323R SYMPHONIC SERIES HAMMERED COPPER TIMPANI 23 RANGE C - A
IBANEZ GSA60BKN BLACK NIGHT
YAMAHA TP-3323 PORTABLE TIMPANI 23 RANGE C - Ab
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES PWCT02 TUNER
DADDARIO EPN115 PURE NICKEL
VIC FIRTH VF26SNSW VINTAGE SNAPPY 26 STRAND SNARE WIRE
YAMAHA AG03MK2 LIVE STREAMING MIXER AND USB AUDIO INTERFACE WHITE
MEINL 20" AMUN POWERFUL RIDE CYMBAL
YAMAHA YSL 630 Bb PROFESSIONAL TENOR TROMBONE GOLD LACQUER
PRS SE-SANTANA YELLOW
IBANEZ RG421-MOL MAHOGANY OIL ELECTRIC GUITAR
ELECTRO HARMONIX BASS CLONE CHORUS
PROTECTION RACKET 4012 TOM CASE
YAMAHA PACIFICA 012BLII ELECTRIC GUITAR BLACK
FOCUSRITE SCARLETT 2I2 4TH GEN USB AUDIO INTERFACE
ZILDJIAN 20A MEDIUM RIDE
STAGG UC-30 CONCERT UKE MAHOGANY WITH BAG
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES 25LB04 BEATLES STRAP
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES 25LK02 KISS STRAP
AHEAD STICK TIP SAT
IBANEZ AF75-TRS ARTCORE TRANSPARENT RED SUNBURST
DADDARIO RESERVE BASS CLARINET 3.5 5-BOX
STAGG SCL70 CLASSICAL GUITAR WITH CEDAR TOP NATURAL SATIN
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES PWEP 102 SOLID BRASS STRAP BUTTON 2 PACK
ERNIE BALL EARTHWOOD 12 STRING MEDIUM
KORG LP 180 BLACK DIGITAL PIANO WITH STAND
PROTECTION RACKET 3014R SNARE CASE
YAMAHA TRBX 174EW TBL
TAKAMINE GD51-NAT
K&M 18993 KEYBOARD STAND RICK 20
AKG WMS470 PRESENTER WIRELESS SET
TAKAMINE TH-90 HIRADE CLASSIC
YAMAHA YBL 421GE Bb/F BASS TROMBONE
K&M 14066 KEYBOARD BENCH BLACK FABRIC
MEINL 18BYZANCE JAZZ THIN CRASH
STAGG WIS-A40 FLUTE AND CLARINET STAND
EVANS EC2 COATED 13 INCH
PROTECTION RACKET A5012R RIGID TOM CASE
YAMAHA MY16AT
YAMAHA APX 700II BL
YAMAHA MOUTHPIECE PATCH 03M
YAMAHA YTR 8335GS CUSTOM XENO Bb TRUMPET GOLD BRASS BELL SILVER PLATED
ALESIS ACOUSTIC LINK
WARWICK TONE C500K WITH CAPACITOR 47NF LH
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES UKULELE PICK FELT 3MM
ERNIE BALL BEEFY SLINKY 11-54
YAMAHA TRBX174 OVS
HARDCASE HARDWARE CASE 40X12X12"+WHEELS
ROLAND KS-13 KEYBOARD STAND
EVANS EC1 COATED 10 INCH
ERNIE BALL EARTHWOOD ROCK & BLUES 10-52
PROTECTION RACKET 5054W HARDWARE BAG
ERNIE BALL 7-STRING SUPER SLINKY 09-52
ZOOM F8NPRO MULTITRACK FIELD RECORDER
YAMAHA MX61 V2 BLUE
EVANS 10 GENERA G2 COATED TOM HEAD
ERNIE BALL 12 STRING EARTHWOOD PHOSPHOR BRONZE ACOUSTIC
YAMAHA YFL 382H FLUTE B FOOTJOINT
JACKSON JS-32 DINKY SNOW WHITE ELECTRIC GUITAR MAPLE FINGERBOARD
DADDARIO WOODWINDS RICO RAS1C LIGATURE CAP ALTO SAX
YAMAHA YCL 631II Eb ALTO CLARINET
DUNLOP 6503 BODY AND FINGERBOARD CARE KIT
KORG MONOTRON DUO
FENDER BASSMAN FUZZ PEDAL
ORANGE DUAL FOOTSWITCH FS2
C.G. CONN DOUBLE FRENCH HORN 8D CONNstellation
HARDCASE HN36W HARDWARE CASE
YAMAHA AMT1310 TOM TOM 13X10
D'ADDARIO PW-BLPBT-02 BACKLINE PEDALBOARD TRANSPORTER
KLOTZ AY10600 INSERT-CABLE 6M
PROTECTION RACKET 3008CS SNARE CASE
PROTECTION RACKET 2020 BASS DRUM CASE
MEINL JAM CAJON ALMOND BIRCH
K&M 17738 OBOE CONE
REMO 20EMPEROR CLEAR
KLOTZ M1 MIC CABLE 1M FEMALE XLR-JACK
ERNIE BALL 7-STRING REGULAR SLINKY 10-56
STAGG PROFESSIONAL 14 X 14 FLOOR TOM BAG
YAMAHA SBT1309 TOM
EVANS 22 EQ3 BATTER COATED
EVANS 13 GENERA G1 COATED TOM HEAD
DADDARIO ACCESSORIES SHINE PWPL03
ROLAND R-07 2-CHANNEL HANDHELD RECORDER
KLOTZ ASEX10300 EXTENSION CABLE 3m.
YAMAHA SBS1455RBL STAGE CUSTOM BIRCH SNARE RAVEN BLACK 